You can download Local Agri-Food: Supply and Demand - Narrowing the Gap “Snapshot Project” here.

Executive Summary

The Local Agri-Food: Supply and Demand - Narrowing the Gap project was developed to enhance market development of food grown in the Cowichan Valley. It was through previous food security stakeholder meetings that Cowichan Green Community heard from those involved in food production and purchasing that the gaps and barriers between food producers/processors and their key point-source markets had not be documented and shared amongst the groups in the Cowichan Valley. These missing points of information were viewed as an integral step in understanding what needs to happen next to enhance market development of locally grown food.

To achieve this goal, food producers and their key point-source markets were interviewed (restaurants, grocers, institutions with cafeterias, and the general public) to discover the gaps, and barriers that prevent them from selling/utilizing more locally grown food, as well as to identify opportunities to increase the market for local products. CGC staff conducted a literature review and created a list of survey questions with consultation from the local agrologist for each sector to prepare for the project. Eight sectors were identified for the survey: Farmers, Restaurants, Institutions with Cafeterias, Grocers, Processors/Producers, Local Government, Economic Development Agencies and the General Public. Participants were identified through an existing network of food security stakeholders, word-of-mouth, and cold-calling.

From these eight sectors a total of 76 interviews were conducted. The majority of stakeholders viewed local food as Cowichan Valley or Vancouver Island products. The results from all sectors showed that a high degree of loyalty exists to support local Farmers and the purchase of locally grown food.

The main gaps and barriers identified include:

• Higher prices – the key point-source markets find the cost of purchasing local is often not feasible within their budgets; however Processors/ Producers are adamant they need to have control over pricing and receive fair market value for their goods;
• Financial constraints – was identified by Farmers and Processors/Producers as a significant barrier to expansion;
• Lack of production – was mentioned by Grocers as the main barrier to selling more local products, they need more producers in the area;
• Lack of skilled labour – is important to Farmers who require trained seasonal help;
• Unavailability – point-source markets require items to be available in sufficient quantity, quality, duration to meet the demand;
• Education – Farmers require opportunities for educating newcomers to the industry, and a public that is educated about the true cost of cheap food;
• Growth pressure – the conflict between urban development and agricultural lands was identified by Local Government;
• Inconvenience – the inability to easily source local ingredients is a barrier determined by the Restaurant sector; and
• Lack of communication – between sectors there are few opportunities to meet and discuss, network and partner around issues of food security and sustainability in the Valley

After the interviews were conducted, a stakeholder meeting was held to provide an opportunity for discussion, networking and partnering based on an interim summary of the survey results. Ideas that surfaced during interviews and discussions at the stakeholder meeting include:

• Be proactive in protecting farmland and the farming lifestyle;
• Be creative to ensure profitability i.e. explore value-added products as a means to create an identity for your product and create demand;
• Educate consumers about the importance of local agriculture and the true cost of cheap, imported food;
• Create educational opportunities for young and experienced farmers;
• Encourage grocery stores to create a locally grown ‘island’ section, much like the organic section; and
• Create policies that support buying local first.